Do the math: four teachers in two days equals four babies

Published: April 21, 2004 8:00 PM

WILLOWICK, Ohio (AP) These new mothers know something about childhood education.Four teachers at Royalview Elementary School in suburban Cleveland gave birth over a two-day period at LakeWest Hospital in nearby Willoughby.Angel Patrick, Heather Kiggins and Laura Parsons gave birth Tuesday within hours of each other and kindergarten teacher Courtney Zappola delivered a baby girl Wednesday afternoon.Eight teachers have delivered in the last 18 months and three more are due later this year.We knew we might have the babies at the same hospital but not on the same day, Patrick said as she cuddled newborn daughter Molly. We saw each other every day at school and compared notes.Assistant Principal Kerry Bowser gave birth last March to twins and had some advice for newcomers to the 60-member faculty. We tell the substitute teachers to bring their own water, she said.